Kamaole Sands

Kamaole Sands is part of a seemingly endless strip of Kihei condos, set apart by the property's pretty, lush grounds and well-maintained units. Ten four-story buildings contain a total of 174 units, and wrap around 15 acres of blossoming gardens, grassy slopes, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and barbecue grills. The landscaped grounds are lovely: tropical flowers, majestic palm trees, and green grass line the walkways of the property. The nearly identical units and sprawling space can get confusing though.A bright, airy space, the lobby is standard but pleasant. There are fresh flowers, as well as a wooden reception desk, floral couches, and palm leaf ceiling fans. The Kamaole Sands is a hot spot for vacationing families and groups, but the ample space keeps the place from getting too rowdy, loud, or overwhelming.

These Kihei beachfront suites sit just across the street from Kamaole Beach Park III, a truly spectacular beach. The condos are a short walk to gorgeous beaches and activities, like water sports and scuba diving, restaurants, shops, and bars. A large grocery store, where guests can pick up supplies to prepare in their kitchens or on the outdoor barbecues, is a five-minute walk away. A five-minute drive will take visitors to the buzzing town of Wailea, and Lahaina, a whaling village that dates back to the 1840s, is a 10-minute ride in the other direction. Downtown Kihei is a ten-minute stroll from the hotel. The location makes beaching and exploring convenient.Kahului Airport is also about a 30-minute drive away, as is yHo‘okipa beach, a renowned windsurfing site on the north shore of Maui.

Condos at the Castle Kamaole Sands range in size from one-bedroom to three-bedroom units. All the units have kitchens, sofa beds, and private balconies. They do, however, vary greatly in location (there are ten buildings) and views, which range from humdrum to spectacular. Furnishings and cleanliness are different from unit to unit as well. Some kitchens, for example, are impressively equipped with stainless steel appliances and cooking tools, including everything from rice cookers to blenders, while others have standard white appliances. Some of the owners also stock their units with towels, beach chairs, and umbrellas. Some of the units offer free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and spacious bathrooms stocked with toiletries. Other units offer AC only in living rooms, and ceiling fans in bedrooms. Some TVs are giant flat-screens, while others are older tube TVs.

The best feature is Kamaole Beach Park III, which the resort overlooks. It’s one of the finest swimming beaches in Maui, with white sand, crystal-clear ocean, and a children’s play area and park. There are also enough free on-site amenities -- tennis courts, a spacious swimming pool, a sun deck, two jet spas, and barbecue spots -- to keep visitors entertained without leaving the grounds. There’s a free weekly Mai Tai party by the pool. The fitness center, however, is bare-bones, and some of the equipment is outdated.